What to Look for in Strength Equipment From one of the Strongest Coaches on Earth (Sponsored)

Vernon Smith, head strength and conditioning coach at Marian University in Indianapolis.
Vernon Smith, head strength and conditioning coach at Marian University in Indianapolis.

Vernon Smith is regarded as one of the strongest coaches in the world. The head strength and conditioning coach at Marian University in Indianapolis can deadlift and squat more than 900 pounds. Now he’s taking on a new challenge as his school opens a new training facility. Athletic Business caught up with him to find out how he picked the right equipment for the job.

Vernon Smith 132Since Marian is a private school, it’s all about boosters and donations. About three years ago, we had a donation given to us to redo our facilities. It was about $50,000. I went to Matrix and they outfitted me with what I needed. Recently, however, we had a donor donate $14 million to our new [facility] project, and about two and a half years ago, they gave me permission to start outfitting that new facility, and we now have everything ordered. For me being a strength coach, being able to get this funding and be trusted to outfit this facility, it’s been a blessing.

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